Jenks dominates Norman North in Oklahoma high school football clash
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - The 2023 season has been very un-Jenks like.
The 18-time state champions have not only dropped three of the first five games, but two of the defeats came at the hands of programs from the West side of the state.
However, instead of letting the slide continue, the Trojans came out Thursday night and thumped Norman North, 42-14, at Harve Collins Stadium.
On the opening series of the night, North had the ball and seemingly completed a big pass that put them deep into Jenks territory. However, the JHS defense forced a fumble and recovered it near the 25-yard line.
Three plays later, Owen Jones and Semaj Stanford connected on a 72-yard touchdown strike down the sideline to put the Trojans up, 7-0.
After forcing the Timberwolves to punt, Jenks once again had the ball and drove it right down the field. This time, it was Simian Gilkey who finished off the scoring drive with a 4-yard plunge up the middle.
The Trojans led, 14-0, when junior safety Sam Stone picked off North’s Owen Eshelman on their own 35-yard line with 4:19 left in the first quarter.
Jenks' defense seemed to be a step ahead throughout the first half. Even when North looked like it was going to get its offense going, players such as Ilias Cooper and Hudson Ball were delivering vicious blows that stalled out drives.
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Tailback Kaydin Jones put Jenks ahead 21-0 when he scored on a 31-yard touchdown catch. The sophomore then turned right around on defense and picked off Eshelman to set up his second TD of the night.
Jenks took a 28-0 advantage into halftime.
After a 65-yard kickoff return by Ilias Cooper to start the second half, the Trojans were once again set up deep in North territory. Jones collected his third score on a 11-yard touchdown run to put JHS ahead, 35-0.
Ayden Christiansen put the contest away with a 60-yard touchdown catch midway through the third. It was Owen Jones' third TD pass of the night.
The Timberwolves kept fighting and added a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. But it wasn’t enough to make it a game.
Norman North (4-2) will host Southmoore Oct. 12 while Jenks (3-3) will host Moore Oct. 13.
-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK
